File 7 - Records relating to the foundation of the MGEN Society

1 file

Collection of papers relating to the formation of the Manchester Guardian and Evening News Society, including:

• Draft typescript and final printed notice to all employees of the Manchester Guardian and Evening News from CP Scott, Russell Allen, JR Scott and ET Scott, outlining the proposal for the formation of the MGEN Society, covering the potential impact of the proposal on wages and conditions, the settlement of departmental disputes, pensions, sick pay, other benefits, the retiring fund, employment, apprentices and profit-sharing, and outlining the ballot procedure to follow (nd)
• A blank voting form (31 May 1926)
• A notice by JR Scott annoucing the outcome of the ballot (in favour) and calling for the appointment of departmental representatives to a provisional committee, to negotiate the terms of the new scheme (4 June 1926)
• Joint statement of resignation from 10 members of the Evening News staff [presumably opposed to the MGEN Society]: JR Smith, James McKay, RH Forrest, C Grindrod, AG Arundel, GR Walker, J Pollitt, Herbert Jones, William Baker and Charles A Chorlton (27 August 1926)
• Copy letter from W Hunt of the Manchester Typographical Association to the Father of the Chapel for the Manchester Evening News composing room, giving the Association's resolution that the new MGEN Society cannot be brought into line with the Association's rules, and so that Association members should tender their resignations from the company (28 August 1926)
• Copy of a letter sent to Mr Chorlton acknowledging his wish to retire (28 August 1926)
• Two copies of a printed notice to readers of the Manchester Evening News outlining the new scheme (stamped 6 September 1926)
• 11 pro-forma letters of resignation printed on cards titled 'Notice to Terminate Employment' [issued by the Typographical Association to its members employed by the Manchester Guardian amd Evening News]. The cards state conflict between the Association's agreement and the terms of the new MGEN Society as the reason for resignation, and have been filled out and signed by: Edwin Cade, William J Hollins, Stanley Carefull, WG Campbell, E Pritchard, Thomas Edward Armstrong, WR Hiles, H Sholtin, Joseph McCarthy, A Roberts and MJ Tanner (25 September 1926)
• An issue of the newspaper Labour's Northern Voice with a front page piece critcising the new MGEN Society (10 September 1926)
• Copy notice of from the proprietors of The Glasgow Herald, The Bulletin, The Evening Times and The Citizen stating that they will nolonger employ production staff who are trade union members and outlining their rates of pay and benefits (nd) and a typescript article and cover letter from Benn Brothers Ltd., publishers of trade and technical journals, expressing support for the new MGEN Society (23 September 1926)
• Two issues of the Typographical Circular, published by the Typographical Association, containing content relating to the new MGEN Society (October & November 1926)
• Members' leaflet from the Manchester Typographical Association announcing the next Quarterly Delegate Meeting and including a section entitled The Great Betraya, which includes a tribute to all Association members who have left their employment at MGEN and a list of the 'betrayers' - those who have left the Association to join the MGEN Society [November 1926]
• Letter from Charles Whitmore, General Secretary of the MGEN Society, defining the Society's rule for sickness notification in relation to a particular case (15 February 1927)
  Creator: Manchester Guardian and Evening News Limited; Manchester Guardian and Evening News Society